Screen capture with Smart Select on Galaxy phones or tablets

If you find a cool image or interesting article, make sure to capture your screen and save it using Smart Select. With this feature, you can insert captured images into Notes or messages. You can also draw on your Galaxy device's screen with your S Pen to capture whatever else you like!
A person using the S Pen to select an image of a cat on a Galaxy phone screen, with options like "Add to note," "Pin," and "Edit" displayed in a pop-up menu.
A person using the S Pen to select an image of a cat on a Galaxy phone screen, with options like "Add to note," "Pin," and "Edit" displayed in a pop-up menu.

Screen capture with Smart Select on Galaxy phones or tablets

Use Smart Select to capture your screen

The next time you come across an interesting article, just use Smart Select to capture your screen and save the text.

  1. To capture content, with an S pen, open the Air command menu, and then tap Smart select. You can also swipe open the Edge panel and tap Smart select.
    Smart select highlighted in the Air command menu on a Galaxy phone
  2. Draw around the parts of the screen you want to capture, or tap an onscreen object. Smart select will automatically select the area you’ve chosen. You can drag the corners of the select to change the shape and size of your selection.
  3. Depending on what you have selected, your options may be different. You may need to tap More options (the three vertical dots) to see all the options.
    More options highlighted while using Smart Select
    • Sketch to image – Draw a sketch in the selected area and convert it to an illustration with Galaxy AI.
    • Map – Open a map of the selected location.
    • Add to note – Insert the selected contents into Samsung Notes.
    • Copy – Copy the selected content to the clipboard.
    • Share – Send the selected content in a text, email, or any other sharing service.
    • Save – Save an image of your selection to your device.
    • Extract text – Copy the recognized text to the clipboard.
    • Pin – Pin the selection to your Home screen.
    • Edit – Open the selection in Gallery for editing.
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Use AI Drawing to create images

Note
  • Galaxy AI features by Samsung will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices.
  • This feature requires a Samsung account and internet connection.
  • Editing with Generative edit results in a resized photo up to 12MP.
  • This feature is currently only supported on the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6.

AI Drawing brings your images to life!

  1. Remove the S Pen to open the Air command menu.
  2. Tap Sketch to image, and then start drawing on the screen.
  3. You can tap the drop-down menu in the bottom right to select from Watercolor, Illustrations, Pencil sketch, and Pop art. Your selection will impact the artwork that is generated.
  4. When you’re finished drawing, tap Generate.
    A person using an S Pen to draw an image of the Eiffel Tower on a Samsung Galaxy foldable device. The screen displays drawing tools and options at the bottom.
  5. Several AI-generated images will appear; swipe left and right to find your favorite.
  6. You can use the options at the top of the screen to save the image, share the image, or redo your drawing.
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Use Smart Select to create a GIF

Note

You can use Smart Select to create GIFs from almost anything in motion on your screen.

  1. Open Smart Select from the Edge Panel, or with your S Pen and Air command.
  2. Draw around the parts of the screen you want to capture, or tap an onscreen object. Smart select will automatically select the area you’ve chosen. You can drag the corners of the select to change the shape and size of your selection.
  3. Tap More options (the three vertical dots) , and then tap Create GIF.
    Create GIF highlighted in More Options while using Smart Select
  4. You can choose between High quality, or Standard quality.
  5. Tap Record. Up to 15 seconds can be recorded, if you need less than that tap Stop when you're ready.

When the recording is done, you'll have the following options:

  • Pin: keep the captured GIF on screen in a movable window.
  • Copy: Copy the GIF to the clipboard so you can paste it in another application
  • Edit: Draw annotations on the GIF.
  • Share: immediately share the GIF with someone.
  • Save: Save the GIF to your device, you'll be able to see it in the Gallery.
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